Kalaivanan Nagarajan | Chemistry | Young Scientist Award

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Dr. Kalaivanan Nagarajan | Chemistry | Young Scientist Award

Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai | India

Dr. Kalaivanan Nagarajan research focuses on exploring the fundamental and applied aspects of light–matter strong coupling, particularly vibrational strong coupling (VSC), to understand and manipulate chemical reactivity and material properties within optical cavities. By integrating principles from physical chemistry, quantum electrodynamics, and materials science, the work investigates how molecular vibrations interact coherently with confined optical modes in Fabry–Perot cavities to form hybrid light–matter states known as vibrational polaritons. These studies reveal how strong coupling conditions can reshape potential energy surfaces, influence molecular structure, dynamics, and reaction kinetics, and ultimately enable control of chemical transformations without the need for external photoexcitation. A key highlight of this research is the demonstration that VSC can modulate phase transition behaviors, such as the glass transition temperature of polymers like polyvinyl acetate and polystyrene, providing experimental evidence of cavity-modified thermomechanical properties. Through systematic spectroscopic, thermodynamic, and theoretical investigations, the research establishes how vacuum electromagnetic fields play an active role in determining material behavior and chemical outcomes. This pioneering approach contributes to the emerging field of polariton chemistry, offering new pathways for designing energy-efficient reactions, reactivity control strategies, and material innovations driven by quantum light–matter interactions.

Featured Publications

Thomas, A., Lethuillier-Karl, L., Nagarajan, K., Vergauwe, R. M. A., George, J., & Ebbesen, T. W. (2019). Tilting a ground-state reactivity landscape by vibrational strong coupling. Science, 363(6427), 615–619. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aau7742

Nagarajan, K., Thomas, A., & Ebbesen, T. W. (2021). Chemistry under vibrational strong coupling. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 143(41), 16877–16889. https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.1c07487

Sharma, P., Damien, D., Nagarajan, K., Shaijumon, M. M., & Hariharan, M. (2013). Perylene-polyimide-based organic electrode materials for rechargeable lithium batteries. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 4(19), 3192–3197. https://doi.org/10.1021/jz401590t

Vergauwe, R. M. A., Thomas, A., Nagarajan, K., Shalabney, A., George, J., & Ebbesen, T. W. (2019). Modification of enzyme activity by vibrational strong coupling of water. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 58(43), 15324–15328. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201906346

 Nagarajan, K., Mallia, A. R., Muraleedharan, K., & Hariharan, M. (2017). Enhanced intersystem crossing in core-twisted aromatics. Chemical Science, 8(3), 1776–1782. https://doi.org/10.1039/C6SC04791E

 Banda, H., Damien, D., Nagarajan, K., Hariharan, M., & Shaijumon, M. M. (2015). A polyimide-based all-organic sodium ion battery. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 3(19), 10453–10458. https://doi.org/10.1039/C5TA01921B

Thomas, A., Jayachandran, A., Lethuillier-Karl, L., Vergauwe, R. M. A., Nagarajan, K., George, J., & Ebbesen, T. W. (2020). Ground state chemistry under vibrational strong coupling: Dependence of thermodynamic parameters on the Rabi splitting energy. Nanophotonics, 9(2), 249–255. https://doi.org/10.1515/nanoph-2019-0357

Banda, H., Damien, D., Nagarajan, K., Raj, A., Hariharan, M., & Shaijumon, M. M. (2017). Twisted perylene diimides with tunable redox properties for organic sodium-ion batteries. Advanced Energy Materials, 7(20), 1701316. https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.201701316

Vijayalakshmi Pandurangan | Chemistry | Young Scientist Award

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Dr. Vijayalakshmi Pandurangan l Chemistry | Young Scientist Award

SIMATS Deemed University | India

Dr. Vijayalakshmi Pandurangan is a distinguished researcher in Chemistry with a strong focus on nanocomposite synthesis, photocatalysis, and environmental sustainability. She earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry (2020–2024) from Tamil Nadu Open University, Chennai, for her highly commended doctoral research titled “Synthesis of Nanocomposites and Its Photocatalytic Degradation Efficiency on Organic Pollutants.” She also holds an M.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of Madras, a B.Ed. in Physical Science from Pondicherry University, and an M.Ed. in Education from The Tamil Nadu Teacher Education University. Dr. Vijayalakshmi is currently preparing for a prestigious three-month IIPP Research Internship at the National Taipei University of Technology, Taiwan (July–September 2025). Her research interests encompass energy storage and conversion, CO₂ reduction, water splitting, electrochemistry, and molecular docking. Skilled in advanced characterization tools such as XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy, she has authored 10 scientific publications in high-impact journals, including Ionics, ChemistrySelect, Electrochimica Acta, and Langmuir. Her research has been cited 7 times by 7 documents, with a Scopus h-index of 2 (Scopus ID: 57197218673; ORCID: 0009-0003-0232-7621). Dr. Vijayalakshmi has actively participated in international conferences and workshops, contributing to global scientific discourse. She remains committed to advancing green technologies and developing sustainable solutions for environmental and energy challenges through innovative, interdisciplinary research.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid 

Featured Publication 

Mariappan, K., Sivaji, S. P., Chen, S. M., Sakthinathan, S., Chen, C. L., Vijayalakshmi, P., Mariappan, C., Murugan, S. B., & Chiu, T. W. (2025). An experimental method for the sensitive detection of carbendazim using a glassy carbon electrode modified with bismuth ferrite anchored on carbon black composites. Microchemical Journal, 114500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2025.114500

Pooja Kumari | Pharmaceutical Chemistry | Women Researcher Award

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Ms. Pooja Kumari | Pharmaceutical Chemistry
| Women Researcher Award

JSS college of pharmacy, mysore | India

Ms. Pooja Kumari is an accomplished pharmaceutical researcher with over four years of experience in drug design, synthetic and medicinal chemistry, and scientific writing. She has expertise in computational approaches, including molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, QSAR, and homology modeling, alongside hands-on laboratory synthesis of novel compounds. Her Ph.D. research at JSS University focuses on designing and synthesizing novel purine derivatives as Aurora kinase-A inhibitors for breast cancer, integrating in-silico modeling with biochemical evaluation. She has contributed to medicinal chemistry through publications on pyrimidine, pyrazole, benzimidazole, and benzoxazole scaffolds, as well as reviews on pharmacogenomics and oncogenic signaling pathways, with 3 documents, 7 citations, and an h-index of 1. Pooja also has four years of teaching experience and practical guidance experience as a Research Assistant at SriramChem Laboratories. A registered pharmacist in India, she has completed workshops and certifications in AI-driven drug discovery and journal reviewing. Fluent in English and Hindi, she is currently enhancing her Dutch proficiency, reflecting adaptability and commitment to cross-cultural engagement. Her multidisciplinary expertise and strong analytical and communication skills enable her to contribute effectively in academic, research, and regulated pharmaceutical environments.

Profile: Orcid | Scopus 

Featured Publication

Kumari, P. (2026). Exploring pyrimidine scaffolds for cancer therapy: A triad of synthetic chemistry, computational studies, and in-vitro biological testing. Journal of Molecular Structure.

 

 

Madhu R | Chemistry | Young Scientist Award

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Dr. Madhu R | Chemistry | Young Scientist Award

IISER-Tirupati/JNCASR | India

Dr. Madhu R is a distinguished researcher currently serving as a Research Associate at IISER Tirupati/JNCASR, India, specializing in molecular therapeutics and neurodegenerative disease biology. He earned his Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc & AH/DVM) in Veterinary Medicine from Veterinary College, Bidar, Karnataka, in July 2015, and completed his doctoral research at JNCASR (2017–2023) under the guidance of Prof. T. Govindaraju. His Ph.D. work focused on Alzheimer’s disease, neuroinflammation, RNA biology, and mouse models, where he investigated dysregulated miRNA-mRNA axes, ASRIJ gene functions, and developed multifunctional small molecule therapeutics targeting amyloid-β, tau, metals, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. He subsequently contributed to cutting-edge research on RNA therapeutics, dendrimers, peptide-based drugs, and biomarker probes for Alzheimer’s and cancer management. At IISER Tirupati, working with Prof. K. N. Ganesh, his research focuses on peptide nucleic acids (PNAs), including Janus PNAs for cellular uptake studies and therapeutic targeting of miRNA structures to modulate inflammation. His thesis titled “Visual detection of Listeria monocytogenes DNA using gold nanoprobes” reflects his early expertise in molecular diagnostics. Dr. Madhu has published impactful research, accumulating 592 citations, an h-index of 14, and an i10-index of 15, highlighting his significant contributions to neurobiology, RNA therapeutics, and molecular medicine.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Ramesh, M., & Govindaraju, T. (2025). MiR-7a-Klf4 axis as a regulator and therapeutic target of neuroinflammation and ferroptosis in Alzheimer’s disease. NAR Molecular Medicine, ugaf022.

Thimmaiah, G., Ramesh, M., & Balachandra, C. (2025). Amyloid and associated pathology modulators and methods thereof (U.S. Patent Application No. 18/843,676).

Dongre, P., Ramesh, M., Govindaraju, T., & Inamdar, M. S. (2025). Asrij/OCIAD1 depletion reduces inflammatory microglial activation and ameliorates Aβ pathology in an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model. Journal of Neuroinflammation, 22(1), 89.

Mandal, S., Ramesh, M., & Govindaraju, T. (2025). Strategic mutations in designer native peptides combat NLRP3 inflammasome activation in neurodegenerative disorders. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 68(3), 2890–2902. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.xxxxxxx ← (Add actual DOI if available)

Dongre, P., Ramesh, M., Govindaraju, T., & Inamdar, M. S. (2025). Asrij/OCIAD1 contributes to age-associated microglial activation and neuroinflammation in mice. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 17, 1674136. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2025.1674136

 

Stuti Arya | Chemistry | Best Scholar Award

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Ms. Stuti Arya | Chemistry | Best Scholar Award

Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology | India

Ms. Stuti Arya is a passionate and dedicated chemistry scholar specializing in organic chemistry, natural products, and phytochemistry, currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Chemistry. She has developed strong expertise in advanced laboratory techniques, including synthesis, extraction, isolation, and characterization of nanoparticles and bioactive compounds. Stuti has a proven ability to integrate innovative research approaches with effective teaching methodologies, fostering student engagement and academic excellence. She holds a Master’s degree in Chemistry from Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Zoology, and Botany from Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University, Bareilly. Her academic journey reflects consistent excellence, combining rigorous training with a focus on interdisciplinary research. Throughout her career, Stuti has actively contributed to the advancement of chemical sciences through research on essential oils, pesticidal efficacy, and phytochemical analysis of wild edible fruits. She has authored multiple research publications in reputed journals, highlighting her work on the chemical composition and therapeutic applications of bioactive compounds. In addition, she has presented her research at several national and international conferences, demonstrating her commitment to knowledge dissemination and scientific collaboration. Her technical expertise spans chromatography, green synthesis of nanoparticles, UV-visible spectrophotometry, GC-MS, molecular docking, and the use of analytical and computational software for chemical analysis. Beyond her research, Stuti has been recognized for her creative and academic achievements, including awards in poster-making and cultural competitions. Fluent in English and Hindi, she combines critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills to contribute effectively to scientific and academic communities. Her dedication to innovative research, sustainable practices, and interdisciplinary collaboration positions her as a promising contributor to the field of chemical sciences.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

  • Kabdal, T., Prakash, O., Kumar, R., Arya, S., Rawat, D. S., & Kumar, S. (2024). Harnessing the phytochemistry through pesticidal potential of diverse Elsholtzia species: A path to sustainable agriculture. Chemistry & Biodiversity, e202401906.

  • Arya, S., Prakash, O., Kumar, R., Nagarkoti, K., Rawat, A., Srivastava, R. M., … (2023). Comparative compositional analysis and pesticidal efficacy of essential oils from leaves of Skimmia aanquetilia NP Taylor and Airy Shaw.

  • Verma, B., Arya, S., Kabdal, T., Arya, V., Prakash, O., Kumar, R., Dubey, S. K., … (2024). Phytochemical analysis and therapeutic applications of some wild edible fruits growing in Uttarakhand Himalayas. European Journal of Chemistry, 15(2), 110–119.

  • Arya, S., Prakash, O., Singh, S., Kabdal, T., Kumar, R., Rawat, D. S., Srivastava, R. K., … (2025). Synergistic potential of Boenninghausenia albiflora (Hook.) Rchb. ex Meisn. essential oil blends against Meloidogyne incognita and Spodoptera litura: A natural approach to pest control. Chemistry & Biodiversity, e202500384.